MANILA, Philippines?To true beach lovers, Bora will never become bore-a. There?s always something happening, something new to try, something different to explore. We found three new reasons for you to hit our favorite island this summer?as if you needed them.

Hama

One of Boracay?s newer restaurants, Hama offers authentic Japanese fare for the beach bum who loves sushi.

Why go: The food is really good. Unagi maki (P200), wagyu beef gyoza (P200), vegetable gyoza (P150), wagyu strip steak (P655), donburi, teriyaki, ramen, udon, soba, shabu shabu?Hama?s menu is so extensive that you?ll have a hard time narrowing your choices down.

Pencil it in? on a day you want to have a long, leisurely meal. Enjoy the different courses. Snack on the edamame (steamed traditional Japanese green soy beans - P95), enjoy the osoni (clear Japanese soup) and order the kani salad with sesame dressing (P170), it?s a change from the usual kani salad that is drowning in Japanese-mayo. As for the main course, you?re spoilt for choice. For dessert, have the bamboo jello (chilled soy milk topped with mango and coco, P95)

Try the? ebi tempura (P525), it was very fresh. The seared tuna tartar (minced yellow fin tuna chilled and mixed with onion and garlic crowned with caviar, served with soy wasabi dip) is a feast for your palate. The gindara (oven-roasted gindara served with cha soba), which is tender and flavorful, melts in the mouth. The beef tobanyaki (clay-pot sizzled meats served with wild Japanese mushrooms beef - P355) is a filling delight.

Bring? your family or a big group of friends. Hama?s servings are generous?they are good for sharing.

Aria

More than just a pizza stop, Aria is home to mouth-watering pasta and other Italian treats. Aria is a must-visit for most Bora lovers.

Why go: Because you can?t survive on choriburgers and fruitshakes alone. We love them as much as you do?but you need to sit down for a good, filling meal too, even when you?re at the beach.

Pencil it in? on a day that you?re really hungry. Maybe after you spend hours skim-boarding or kite-surfing.

Try the? pasta. We loved the farfalle con salmone e caviale (farfalle pasta with Norweigan smoked salmon and caviar - P350) and the tagliatte con tartufo, asparagi e prosciutto di parma (homemade tagliatalle with white truffle, asparagus and parma ham). Enjoy Aria?s pizza in a different way with the rotolino speciale (pizza roll stuffed with tomato sauce, salami, gorgonzola, leeks and mozzarella - P410). Other best-sellers and palate pleasers include the carpaccio di salmone e capperini (smoked salmon carpaccio with capers and oregano - P355), the prosciutto e mango (parma ham arranged on ripe mango - P385) which is a surprisingly delightful fruity experience, tanguige con salsa verde (fresh tanguige fish fillet served with salsa verde - P525) and the pizza capricciosa (fresh tomato, artichokes, farmer?s ham, mushroom, kalamata olives and mozzarella - P550). End your meal with the panna cotta al caramello (cream custard with caramel - P190).

Bring? friends who wouldn?t mind carbo-loading. Your Atkins diet won?t survive Aria unscathed. Or fine, if your friends are counting their calories, they can enjoy the salads?the insalata di cocomero, rucola e pinoli (organic arugula with watermelon and pine nuts in a balsamic vinaigrette dressing - P480) and insalata di alicudi (salad of calamares, potato, tomato, onion and capers dressed with a malvasia wine citronette - P310) are a treat.

Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Convention Center

Why go: Because Boracay Regency offers the best of both worlds?it?s right on the beach so you can spend as much time on the sand as you want but it also has three pools (and beautiful ones at that) where you can lounge around if you feel like taking shelter from the crazy summer crowd. The garden wing, which is Boracay Regency newest wing, has a huge pool with a jacuzzi and a floating bar, perfect for hanging out.

The rooms (the resort has 285 of them) are spacious?try to get one with a balcony and a hot tub.

Try the? different restaurants and bars?there?s Prince Hendrik (which offers dinner and breakfast buffet), Café Christina, Regency Food Plaza, MO2 Wave Bar and Gazebo Bar. Have a few drinks at the floating bar?the margaritas are really good. Watch out for the spa which is set to open later this year.

Bring? a good book so you can read at the poolside, sunblock because you don?t want to get burned, a camera because you will want to take pictures of the pool and friends, because you wouldn?t want to get lonely.